I had garden plants do this when I watered with my stale rain water. I get tree frogs that fall into the barrels and it gets stinky. Then who knows what's growing in the water. How did you make your tea and how long do you let it sit? does your water drain from your hole? your tree could have wet feet. worms like organic material so they might just stay in your mushroom compost. Worms are good. I have lots of organic compost, and wood chips. I toped that last fall with a thick layer of brown leaves. Now the soil stays wet below and its full of bugs and worms. My cherry trees are really healthy. I feed my trees tomato fertilizers. They are nice and green.

Hi Idabean, It is full sun and the soil is definitely not too rich! It was so bad that I decided to go with plants that would survive in poor soil. It is clay, and by mid summer you would be hard pressed to get a shovel into that soil even with the mulch I have down. Also in that pic is 'Miss Linguard' Carolina Phlox, an antique gallica rose, a dianthus, lupine, an historic iris and off to the side that you can't see, I also have a non-flopping baptisia. I am surprised that the lupine has thrived there. Though sometimes while it blooms, the leaves droop if there has not been a lot of rain so I do water it during that period. Remy

hi Kevin, I love your photos...I visited Punch Bowl Crater when I visited Oahu. What a beautiful place to be. When I was landing in Honalulu, I noticed this unique crater looking from ny window...I asked questions and found my way up there with my family. They buried alot of the unknown soliders from Pearl Harbor there..as well as named soliders whose families could not afford to send them home for a proper burial..they did a great job in keeping this a "special" place for remmemberance...Since we just passed Dec 7th...thank you for posting this special meaningful post reminding me of all the beauty on the island as well as all who have fallen for us as well...May they all have peace in Punch Bowl...a crater of beauty!!! Thank you for that...I did have to tell my passengers on that aDec 7th day to stop and reflect this special day...one day that will last in our history...I couldn't say anymore because aI could get in trouble...but I had to say something...they deserve that..... Thank you Kevin for the great post ...and may all who perished on that particular day...God bless you!!!! dECEMBER 7TH A DATE THAT WILL LAST IN IMFAMY!!! tAKE CARE EVERYONE... lAURA IN vb

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